Apparatus for transporting solids into or from a gas or liquid



Nov. 9; 1954 D C, GEHRMAN 2,693,879

APPARATUS 'FOR TRANSPORTING SOLIDS INTO 0R FROM A, GAS 0R LIQUID Filed Oct. 20, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR imm? 6/Erm@ ATTORNEY Nov; 9, 1954 D. c. GEHRMAN 2,693,879

APPARATUS FOR TRANSPORTING SOLIDS INTO OR FROM A GAS OR LIQUID 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 20, 1953 IN VENT OR zazize ''efmaf) BY @www ATTORNEYS United States Patent O i APPARATUS FOR TRANSPORTIN G SOLIDS INTO R FROM A GAS 0R LIQUID Duane C. Gehrman, Phoenix, Ariz.

Application October 20, 1953, Serial No. 387,241

11 Claims. (Cl. 209-219) This invention relates to apparatus for transporting `solids into or from a gas or liquid.

lA principal object of the invention is the provision of apparatus of the indicated type characterized by its versatility in use.

A further object of the invention is the provision of apparatus of the indicated type which is simple and economical in construction, and highly effective in use.

Another object of the invention is the provision `of apparatus for transporting solids between various liquids and/oi' gaseous mediums, at the saine or dilerent pressures, and with a minimum interchange of pressure between th'e mediums.

Stili another object of the invention is the provision of apparatus of the indicated type including magnetic means for effecting a separation of magnetically attract able materials from the solids being transported.

These and 'other objects and advantages of the inven` tion will become more apparent from the following detailed description, taken with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

lFigure l is an end elevation of one form of apparatus in accordance `with .the invention;

Figure 2 is 'a horizontal cross-sectional view of the ap` paratus 'taleenon the line .2--2 of Figure 1;

AFigure 3 is a horizontal cross-.sectional view of the `apparatus :taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 1;`

Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional View of a portion of 'the Iapparatus taken on the line 4-4 of Figure l;

Figure 5 .is an Ienlarged view of a portion of the Vapparatus shown in Figure 2, the velements being spaced apart longitudinally of the rolls to show the detailed construction;

Figure 6 is a ldiagrammatic side view of the Aroll arrangement of Figure l;

.Figure '7 is 4an `end elevational view of a modilied form of 'the apparatus; and

Figure S is ya ydiagrammatic view of a further modified form `-of the apparatus.

vIn general, 'the apparatus of the invention comprises a ,plurality =of pairs of rolls, the rolls of each pair being in rolling engagement with 'each other, and each roll of each pair `being in rolling engagement with one .ro1 l of an adjacent pair, .such that the inner peripheral portions of the .rolls between their engaging portions define ari open ended chamber. Means are provided f or rotatably supporting lthe rolls and for closing and sealing the `en ds of the chamber, the .latter means being provided with suitable inlet and outlet connections for passing a liquid et gaseous :medium into and from the chamber.

.In its simplest form, the apparatus of the invention comprises two ,pairs Vof rolls arranged as shown in Figures l to 6. As therein shown, the numerals 10 and 11 designate the rolls vof one pair, and the numerals .12 and 13 the rolls x'of the other pair, these rolls having their pcxiiphenies in :rolling engagement to provide therebetween an inner chamber 14. The open `ends of the vchamber 14 are adapted to be closed by pressure 'plates 15 :and 16 provided .inlet and outlet connections .17 and 1'8 for the passage of a liquid for gaseous medium into and from the chamber 14. The pressure plates .and 16 are preferably, though `not necessarily, substantially square shape in this embodiment of the invention and are #disposed :so that their corners extend outwardly between ladjacent peripheral 'portions of adiacent rolls as eie'arly shown in AFigure i. This insures that the ends et the lrolls adjacent the portions merecf which fai-e in 2,693,879 Patented Nov. 9, 1954 ice rolling engagement are covered and sealed by the pressure plates so that the desired pressure conditions can be maintained in the chamber 14.

Each of the rolls 10, 11, 12 and 13, is iixedly mounted on a shaft 20 the ends of which are rotatably journaled in bearings 21. The bearings 21, in turn, are mounted in any suitable type .of support, shown in Figures 1-4 as a framework consisting of vertical ways 22 and horizontal ways 23, positioned at opposite ends of the rolls. Each of the ways 22 and 23 may desirably comprise a pair of steel rods or bars 24 rigidly held in spaced apart parallel relation by two or more transverse members 25. The bearings 21 are mounted between the rods 24 of the vertical and horizontal ways at the point where they cross, and are slidable lengthwise of the ways for a purpose to be described. Any suitable means, such as collars or llanges 26, may be provided for retaining the beau ings 21 within the ways.

The horizontal ways 23 are disposed inwardly of the vertical ways 22 and are held in pressure engagement f with the pressure plates 15 and 16 by threaded securing devices 27 which connect the upper and lower ends of the vertical ways 22. For this purpose, the ends of the vertical ways at each end of the device may be provided with eyes 28 for receiving the securing devices 27 and it will be apparent that as these devices are tightened, the vertical ways will be drawn toward each other to exert pressure against the horizontal ways, and the latter, in turn, will exert pressure on the pressure plates 15 and 16.

As previously indicated herein, the roll shaft bearings 21 are slidably mounted between the rods 24 of the vertical and horizontal ways at the point where they cross.

Thus, if the vertical ways at each end of the device are moved laterally toward each other, the bearings 21 will be correspondingly moved along the horizontal ways t0 bring the rolls 10 and 12 into greater pressure engagement with the rolls 11 and 13. Similarly, if the horizontal ways at each end of the device are moved toward each other, the rolls 10 and 11 will be moved into greater pressure engagement with the rolls 12 and 13. In order to maintain the desired pressure engagement between the rolls means are provided for moving the horizontal and vertical ways toward each other and for holding them in desired 'adjusted positions. As herein illustrated, such means comprise adjusting screws 30 screw threadedly engaged with threaded openings in the transverse members 2S, the inner ends of the screws in the vertical ways engaging the outer rods ends of the screws in the horizontal ways engaging the outer rods 24 of the vertical ways. Thus by adjusting these screws inwardly or toward each other, the vertical and horizontal ways Amay be moved toward each other to increase the pressure engagement between the rolls. This also serves to maintain the shafts of the rolls .in substantial parallel relation.

As previously noted herein, the horizontal ways press against the pressure plates 15 and 16 and, in the construction thus far described, would serve to press them against the ends of the rolls to provide an effective seali ing action. However, because of the frictional resistance between the pressure plates and the ends of the rolls, particularly in the case of rolls formed of rubber or other resilient material, it is preferred to utilize thin rigid'washers 31, mounted on the roll shafts 20 ybetween the ends of the rolls and the pressure plates. These washers are slightly greater in diameter than the rolls so thatrthey overlap opposite the portions of the rolls which are in rolling engagement. This is clearly shown at v32 in Figures l and 5.

The washers 31 are made as thin as practicable to contain the pressure contemplated in the particular use for which the apparatus is intended. Should the apparatus be used to transport a substance abrasive to the sealing washers and pressure plates where some initial loss o'f gas or liquid is not objectionable, the plates 4and washers will quickly grind and seat themselves to form a good seal. However, if the contemplated use is not abrasive to the pressure plates and washers, or initial pressure loss .is undesirable, it :is usually desirable to bevel the outside surfaces of the sealing washers, as shown at 33, to a knife edge 34, bevel the pressure plates, as

'24 of the horizontal ways, and the inner v shown at 35, to match, and then lap them in with abrasive compound. When properly bevelled, ground and lapped, both the outer overlapping washers and the inner overlapped washers seat and turn against the bevelled surfaces of the pressure plates to provide an effective sealing action therebetween. The washers 31, in turn, are pressed against the ends of the rolls by the pressure plates to provide an effective sealing action at this point. In this connection, the bevelling of each washer 31 to a knife edge provides a minimum of interference with the sealing action of the overlapping washers 31 against the ends of the rolls by virtue of the fact that the overlapped portion of each inner washer is so extremely thin.

The described arrangement is quite effective in its sealing action and will hold up over relatively long periods of time provided the rolls with which the outer overlapping washers are associated, for example, the rolls 11 and 12 of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures l-4, are formed of a hard substantially unyielding material. However, if these rolls are formed of rubber or similar resilient material, the peripheral sharp knife edges of the inner overlapped washers tend to dig into the ends of these rolls thereby cutting them and rendering the sealing action less effective.

In accordance with the invention it has been found that this can be overcome by the employment of additional washers 38 mounted on the shafts of such rolls between the ends thereof and the previously described washers 31. These washers are slightly smaller in diameter than the rolls with which they are associated but must be large enough so that the outer peripheries of the inner overlapped washers 31 on the adjacent contacting rolls overlap them, as clearly shown in Figure 5. This prevents the outer edges of the metal sealing washers from digging into the soft resilient material and thereby damaging the roll. The washers 38 are made as thin as the particular conditions of operation permit in order that maximum sealing action may be obtained.

The metal sealing washers may be keyed to the roll shaft or not, as desired. In most cases, however, keying will not be necessary since the friction between the metal sealing washers and the pressure plates will be considerably less than the friction between the sealing washers and the rolls, so that the sealing washers will rotate with the rolls. In addition, of course, a suitable lubricant will be utilized to reduce the friction between the pressure plates and the metal sealing washers.

Any suitable means may be utilized for rotating the rolls. In the illustrated embodiment one of the roll shafts is provided with a pulley 40 keyed thereto, and driven by a belt 41 from any suitable source of power. This rotates the roll and this roll, in turn, imparts rotation to the rolls 11 and 12 which are in frictional rolling engagement therewith. The rolls I1 and 12, in turn, impart rotation to the roll 13.

Any other suitable means for simultaneously rotating the rolls, such as gears, belts and the like, may also be used. In some cases, the material being transported may be used to rotate the rolls by being forced therebetween, as by pressure, or by being pulled therethrough.

Most effective sealing between the rolls is obtained if they are formed of rubber or a similar resilient or elastic material. Quite satisfactory results may, however, be obtained if alternate rolls are made of such a material and intermediate rolls of a relative hard unyielding material. In either event, solid material passing between the rolls is substantially enveloped by the resilient roll or rolls so that substantially no leakage of gas or liquid between the rolls takes place.

Material is fed between the rolls from a hopper 42 secured to the apparatus in any suitable manner as by attachment to the framework or the pressure plates 1S and 16. The hopper 42 may be arranged to feed solid material between a single pair of rolls or between two or more pairs of rolls. Where it is desired to feed material between two or more pairs of rolls, more than one hopper may be employed, or a single hopper suitably partitioned, as will be apparent.

Increased capacity can be obtained by using larger rolls or by increasing the number of rolls as shown in the modified form of the invention illustrated in Figure 7. In this form of the invention, three pairs of rolls are utilized to provide a large chamber 45 between the rolls as well as an additional entrance and exit for material. These rolls, herein designated by the numerals 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 and 51, may be mounted in any suitable type of framework such as the end frame members 52 having elongated slots 54 therein for receiving the bearings 55 of the roll shafts S6. Adjusting screws 57 are carried by the frame members 52 and press against the bearings 55 to hold the rolls in pressure engagement. Sealing washers, similar to those previously described, may be usedand these are ground and lapped with the pressure plates 59 to provide a good seal.

In this form of the invention, the pressure plates 59 are preferably, though not necessarily, substantially hexagonal in shape so that the corner portions thereof will cover the overlapping portions of the sealing washers. The frame members 52 are held in pressure engagement with the pressure plates 59 by securing devices 61, connected to ears, 62 carried by the frame members.

Figure 8 diagrammatically illustrates a further modified form of the invention wherein a plurality of pair of rolls are arranged in two series, herein designated by the numerals 65 and 66, to provide adjacent chambers 67 and 68. In this form of the invention, one pair of rolls 69 is common to both series so that material may pass therebetween from one chamber to the other, as desired.

The rolls may be rotatably supported by end frame members 70 provided with slots 71 for the roll shaft bearings and adjusting screws 72 for maintaining the rolls in frictional rolling engagement. Pressure plates 73 may also be provided and these are preferably lapped and ground with sealing washers of the type previously described. Each pressure plate has inlet and outlet connections for the chambers 67 and 68, the connections for one plate being shown at 74 and 7S.

Operation The apparatus of the invention may be used in a variety of ways depending upon the end result desired. One important use is for the introduction of solid materials into a gas or liquid stream. In such use the apparatus is connected into the line through which the gas or liquid stream is flowing, thereby causing the stream to ow through the chamber between the rolls. The hopper is then filled with the desired solid material in granular or similar divided form and the rolls rotated to feed the material therebetween into the stream of liquid or gas owing through the chamber.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures l to 6, if the rolls are rotated in the direction indicated by the arrows, the solid material will be fed between the rolls 10 and 11 and since one or both of these are formed of rubber, or similar resilient or elastic material, the solids will be completely enveloped so that no leakage of gas or liquid will occur between the rolls.

The solid material may also be fed between the rolls 10 and 12, on the one hand, and 11 and 13, on the other hand, by reversing the direction of rotation of the rolls. In such event, the solid material may be supplied to the nips of the rolls by a single hopper, or alternatively by two separate hoppers, as desired. The latter arrangement, namely, the employment of separate hoppers, which incidentally, may be formed, if desired, by suitably partitioning a single hopper, also lends itself to the simultaneous introduction of two different materials 1n the stream of liquid or gas flowing through the chamber 14. Thus, two dissimilar substances, such as, for example, sand and cement, may be simultaneously introduced into an air stream for pneumatically applied concrete, and the relative amounts of these materials fed to the stream suitably regulated by proper proportioning of the feed lip areas of the hoppers.

Another important use or application of the apparatus of the invention is in the separation and removal of solids of different specific gravities from a liquid or a gaseous medium. For such use, it is preferred to utilize relatively long rolls, or alternatively to connect two or more of the devices in an end to end series to provide an elongated chamber, or series of connected chambers, between the rolls. With such an arrangement, and by properly rotating the rolls, as for example, in a direction opposite to that shown by the arrows in Figure 6, a mixture of solids in a gas or liquid can be fed through the chamber or chambers between the rolls at a relatively low or even zero velocity such that the lighter solids rise and are carried off between the rolls 10 and 11 while the heavier solids sink and are carried olf between therolls 12. and 13. Any solids having substantially the same specific gravity as the liquid or gas medium will, of course, remain suspended so that the apparatus is actually effective to separate suspended solids into three components.

A further important use of the apparatus of the invention is in the separation of magnetically attractable material from othermaterial either as an end in itself, or incident to transporting such other material into or from a liquid or gaseous medium. For this purpose, at least one of the rolls, and preferably one roll of each pair, for example, the rolls and 13 of the apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 4, are formed, at least in part, of a magnetic material, or have a magnetic material associated therewith, the other rolls, of course, being formed of rubber or similar resilient material. In such an arrangement the solid material is fed between the rolls, as before, and any magnetically attractable material adheres to the magnetic rolls and is carried outwardly between the rolls for removal by scrapers or in any other suitable manner.

The apparatus shown in Figure 7 may be used for any of the purposes enumerated above, and, as previo usly indicated, provides a greater capacity. In addition, since there are three pairs of rolls and thus three points vat which material may be fed to the chamber between the rolls, it is possible to simultaneously introduce three different materials into a stream of liquid or gas passing through the chamber, proportioned as desired, by suitable design of the hopper feed lips. Conversely, there are also three points from which solid material can be withdrawn from the chamber. If further` capacity, or 'additional points for introducing and/or withdrawing material are required, additional pairs of rolls may be added, as needed.

The modified form of the invention shown in Figure 8 provides a structure in which different processes may be performed, continuously and without contamination, using diierent liquid and/or gaseous media, velocities, etc.. In this embodiment, the rolls are arranged in two series to provide contiguous chambers separated by one pair of rolls which is common to both series. With such an arrangement it is possible to bleach a material with a gas in the upper chamber and neutralize the material with liquid or gas in the lower chamber by passing it successively between the pairs of rolls 76, 69 and 77. Also, if desired, the material being bleached could furnish the power for driving the rolls by being pulled downwardly therethrough.

It will thus be seen that the present invention provides a highly versatile and effective apparatus for transporting solid material into or from a liquid or gaseous medium. While preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, the invention is not to be construed as limited to the specific details illustrated and described, except as included in the following claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for transporting solids into or from a gas or liquid comprising a plurality of pairs of rolls, the rolls of each pair being in rolling engagement with each other and each roll of each pair being in rolling engagement with one roll of an adjacent pair, the inner peripheral portions of said rolls between their engaging portions defining an open-ended chamber, means closing the open ends of said chamber, inlet and outlet means associated with said closure means, and supporting means for said rolls and closure means.

2. Apparatus of the type set forth in claim 1 wherein at1 least one of said rolls is formed of a resilient materia 3. Apparatus of the type set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one roll of each pair is formed of a resilient material.

4. Apparatus of the type set forth in claim 1 where one of said rolls is formed, at least in part, of a magnetic material.

5. Apparatus of the type set forth in claim 1 including means for adjusting saidl rolls to vary the engagement pressure therebetween.

6. Apparatus of the type set forth in claim l wherein said plurality of pairs of rolls are arranged in two series to provide contiguous chambers, one of said pairs of rolls being common to both series for transporting material between said chambers.

7. Apparatus for transporting solids into or from a gas or liquid comprising a plurality of pairs of rolls, the rolls of each pair being in rolling engagement with each other and each roll of each pair being in rolling engagement with one roll of an adjacent pair, the inner peripheral portions of said rolls between their engaging portions defining an open-ended chamber, means rotatably supporting said rolls with their axes substantially parallel, means sealing the ends of said rolls and serving as closures for the ends of said chamber, and inlet and outlet means associated with said closures.

8. Apparatus for transporting solids into or from a ags or liquid comprising a plurality of pairs of rolls, the

rolls of each pair being in rolling engagement with each other and each roll of each pair being in rolling engagement with one roll of an adjacent pair, the inner peripheral portions of said rolls between their engaging portions defining an open-ended chamber, a shaft for each of said rolls, means rotatably supporting said shafts, means sealing the ends of said rolls and serving as closures for the ends of said chamber, and inlet and outlet means associated with said closures.

9. Apparatus of the type set forth in claim 8 wherein said closures comprise pressure plates, and sealing washers between said pressure plates and the ends of the rolls.

10. Apparatus for transporting solids into or from a gas or liquid comprising a plurality of pairs of rolls of equal lengths and diameters, at least one roll of each pair being formed of a resilient material, the rolls of each pair being in rolling engagement with each other and each roll of each pair being in rolling engagement with one roll of an adjacent pair, the inner peripheral portions of said rolls between their engaging portions defining an open-ended chamber, a shaft for each of said rolls, means rotatably supporting said shafts, means for rotating said shafts, means for adjustably positioning the shafts to maintain them substantially parallel and to vary the pressure engagement between the rolls, a thiii metal washer mounted on each roll shaft at each end of the roll, said metal washers being larger in diameter than the rolls whereby the washers on adjacent contacting rolls overlap each other, pressure plates closing the ends of said chamber and having pressure engagement with the overlapping portions of said washers, said pressure plates and washers being ground and lapped together to increase the sealing action therebetween, and inlet and outlet connections associated with the pressure plates for the movement of a liquid or gas into and from said chamber.

1l. Apparatus of the type set forth in claim 10 including additional metal washers mounted on the shaft of each resilient roll between the ends of the roll and said i'st mentioned metal Washers, said additional metal washers being smaller in diameter than the roll with which they are associated but large enough in diameter such that portions thereof are overlapped by portions of the first mentioned washers mounted on the shafts of adjacent rolls, whereby the first mentioned washers are' prevented from digging into the ends of the resilient roll with which the additional washers are associated.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,979,176 Schicht Oct. 30, 1934 2,289,753 Capstaf July 14, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 588,154 Great Britain May 15, 1947 

